The Four Views of the Body

In modern social theory there are four views of the body:
The body is an effect of deeper structural arrangements of power and knowledge
The body is a symbolic system which produces a set of metaphors by which power is conceptualized
The body can only be understood as a consequence of long term historical changes in human society
Analyze the body in context of the lived experience of every day life


These four theoretical views of the body are taken from the book Religion and the Body.
The first three are a historical cognitive view of the body while the last is a constant change with no record of the past.

Socially the body is effected by its surroundings. Our bodies are a way of expressing ourselves, how we dress, how we apply our makeup all are in an effort for how we want the world to perceive us. How we change on the outside changes with society and what is considered respectable and beautiful. Regardless of how we want to be viewed we all strive to be controlled. Even the most 'out of control' people retain a sense of control in their appearance. From the preppy scholar without a crease in their attire to a punk whose Mohawk retains perfect form. "Any loss of control over our bodies is socially embarassing, implying a loss of control over ourselves" says Bryan S. Turner. This can go beyond our outer appearance to our actions. The way we sit, eat, and walk defines ourselves. Tripping is seen as embarrassing because of our loss of composure and therefore ourselves.

As much as the body is effected by society, in western civilization society markets off the body. We live in a world of capitalized self-obsession. In a society of consumers, you cannot do anything without viewing an advertisement that promotes some form of self improvement. We are targets of drugs and plans to help achieve weight loss, have plump lips, long hair, and most recently luscious lashes. All in an effort to not only be perceived as more controlled to the world but more attractive the opposite sex (or whoever you desire the attraction of). As sexual promiscuity rises in our country so does our obsession with our looks. The text explores this connection and the changes inspired by more contraception and the sexual revolution.

Overall. The self is a project which is to be made, constructed, and endlessly refashioned through the life-cycle.